Transfer fork for looms



May 3, 1938. c. M. ROGERS TRANSFER FORK FOR LOOMS Filed Jan. 8, 1937 Fl B l F I B B 3mm:- EhAR/es M. RusERs Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRANSFER FORK FOR LOOMS Application January 8, 1937, Serial No. 119,687

1 Claim.

My invention relates to transfer forks for looms, and more particularly to cushioned transfer forks for Draper looms, although applicable to other types. 7

Transfer forks are well known in the textile weaving art and serve to transfer a filling carrier or bobbin from a rotatable feeder or hopper to an exhausted or empty shuttle. The usual transfer fork has long been unsatisfactory for this purpose because the transfer fork strikes the full bobbin with considerable force with the result that the filling thereon is frequently'cut to such an extent as to later cause breakage of the filling. Moreover, the continued blows on the bobbin cause the latter to splinter in a short time with the result that the splinters catch on the filling to cause additional breakage thereof. Obviously, such breakage is no small item over a period of time While, at the same time, the bobbin must be frequently replaced at an added expense.

Attempts have been made in the past to provide a cushioned transfer fork but these have all proven unsatisfactory either because they are too expensive to manufacture or because they fail to function properly or because they wear out too quickly. i

With the above in mind, an object of my invention is to .provide an improved transfer fork for looms.

A further object is to provide an improved cushioned transfer fork for looms.

A further object is to provide an improved cushion for a loom transfer fork.

A further object is to provide a two-piece cushioned transfer fork in which portions of one piece are formed to provide means for attaching the cushion or other piece thereto without the use of other fastening means.

A further object is to provide a transfer fork comprising a metal arm having one end formed to provide cushion attaching means.

A further object is to provide a novel means for attaching a cushion to a transfer fork.

A further object is to provide a novel cushion for a transfer fork;

A further object is to provide a novel method of forming a cushioned transfer fork.

A further object is to provide a novel method of attaching a cushion to a transfer fork.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of my device, combination and arrangement of the several parts, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the drawing and detailed description to follow.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an end elevation, partially in section, of the filling or bobbin changing mechanism of a loom havingone form of my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 an enlarged end elevation of a preferred form of my invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one end thereof;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 6- 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation of one end of a modification of my invention;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 8--8 of Figure 7; and

Figures 9, 10, and 11 are horizontal sections similar to Figure 8 but showing further modifications of the invention.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to Figures 1-6 inclusive, l2 represents a conventional rotatable filling carrieror bobbin feed carrying a plurality of filling carriers or bobbins I3. The transfer arm l4 carries adjacent its free end a transfer fork l5 which fork engages the tip end of a bobbin 13 as the end of the transfer arm l4 engages the butt of the bobbin. As the transfer arm descends, the bobbin I3 is engaged as aforesaid and is forced out of its pocket in the feeder l2 and into a shuttle (not shown) in a well known manner.

The transfer fork I5 comprises a laterally extending bar 16 having one end secured to the transfer arm 14 as at 11 in any suitable manner such as by screw threads, clamps, cotter pins, or the like. The opposite end of the bar I6 is downwardly turned as at l8. The extreme end of the downwardly turned portion I8 is formed toprovide an inwardly directed horizontal and substantially annular collar 19. The collar I9 is clamped around and rigidly supports an elongated cushion member 22 which may be of any suitable cushioning material such as rubber, leather, cork, or the like.

It is to be noted that the cushion 22 is of a thickness sufficient to prevent the ends 20 and 2| of the collar l9 from meeting around it, even though the collar I9 is clamped around the cushion 22 with sufficient force to cut into the latter slightly. This arrangement insures a rigid support for the cushion 22 and prevents it from accidentally becoming loose and dropping off. Moreover, this arrangement provides a space between the ends 20 and 21 of the collar 19 into which space a screw driver or other tool can be inserted to spread the collar open to permit the cushion 22 to be withdrawn when a new cushion is necessary.

The upper end of the cushion 22 is grooved transversely as at 23 to seat around the arm N5 of the fork I5. This structure cooperates with the collar l9 to prevent lateral or wobbling movement of the cushion in use. The lower end of the cushion is also transversely grooved as at 24 to fit the bobbin tips. The lower end of the cushion 22 is preferably squared as at 22a and when the cushion is used with a round collar IS the upper end of the cushion may be rounded as at 2212. However, it is obvious that the cushion may assume shapes other than that recited.

In the modification disclosed by Figures 7 and 8, the horizontal bar 36 of the transfer fork 35 is downwardly turned as at 38. The portion 38 has a square collar formed thereon which is clamped around a cushion 42 having a square horizontal section. As in the first described form, the ends 4| and 42 of the collar 39 are spaced apart slightly. The upper and lower ends of the cushion 42 are transversely grooved as at 43 and 44 to fit respectively the bar 36 of the transfer fork 35 and the bobbin tip.

Figure 9 discloses a structure similar to the first two forms except that the collar 50 and cushion 52 are octagonal in section.

In like manner the form disclosed in Figure 10 is identical to the foregoing forms except that the collar 50 and cushion 62 are hexagonal in section. In connection with the forms of Figures 9 and 10, the cushions 52 and 62 need not necessarily be octagonal and hexagonal in form as the rounded form disclosed by Figures l6 will serve equally well and will conform to the shape of the collars 5B and 60 when the same are clamped therearound it.

Figure 11 is a form of the invention which is analogous to the foregoing forms except that the collar 10 and cushion 12 are triangular in section.

It will be observed that in all forms of my invention the cushions 22, 42, 52, 62, and '12 are all in the form of relatively thick columns of cushioning material. They may all be slightly flared at the base and all have a thickness sufficient to prevent their bending as a result of the impact. Consequently, they are solid and sturdy while at the same time are yielding enough to protect the filling, bobbin and shuttle from damage by the force of the impact.

All forms of the invention comprise but two pieces, the bar and the cushion and in every instance the latter is clamped to the bar by the collar member Without the use of screws or other expensive and separate parts. A substantial portion of the cushion extends below the clamping collar and insures against the wearing of the cushion to a point where the metal collar might contact the filling or the bobbin. By virtue of the simple structure of my invention, they can be readily and cheaply made without expensive tools or equipment. At the same time the forks constructed according to this invention are strong and sturdy in use, last a long time and virtually eliminate filling breakage and the tremendous expense incident thereto. Moreover, the lives of the bobbins are extended and discarded bobbins may be given a coat of paint and re-used for an additional period.

While I have shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred forms of my invention, it is not my intention to limit myself to the precise structures shown but only as hereinafter claimed as it is evident that the bar can be otherwise formed to provide cushion encircling and clamping collars.

I claim A loom transfer fork comprising a bar provided with a perpendicular end portion, a collar integrally formed with said end portion laterally inward thereof parallel to said bar and spaced therefrom, a bobbin contacting member of resilient material and integral construction having a thick shank tightly clamped by said collar in tight fitting binding. engagement perpendicular to said bar, the inner end of said shank being transversely grooved to seat over said bar in tight bearing engagement thereagainst, and the body of said shank being somewhat laterally expanded in the space between the collar and bar.

CHARLES M. ROGERS. 

